KOSMOS Exhibition at Miramare Castle Explores the Novara Frigate's 19th-Century Voyage

The Scuderie del Castello di Miramare in Trieste has reopened after a long post-pandemic closure with the exhibition "KOSMOS. Il veliero della conoscenza," curated by Andreina Contessa, Alice Cavinato, Fabio Tonzar, and Daniela Crasso. The show recounts the 1857-1859 circumnavigation of the globe by the frigate Novara, which covered over 51,000 nautical miles across five continents. It highlights the scientific, geographical, and anthropological knowledge gathered during the expedition, inspired by Alexander von Humboldt's work "Kosmos." The exhibition features over 150 objects, including navigation instruments, natural and ethnographic specimens, antique books, paintings, drawings, and photographs. Notable loans include 37 drawings from the Albertina in Vienna and 12 ethnographic objects from the Weltmuseum Wien, such as a ceremonial shield from the Solomon Islands and a parrot-feather fan from Brazil. Digital installations, scale models, and dioramas allow visitors to virtually board the Novara. The voyage began on April 30, 1857, from Trieste, with stops including Gibraltar, Madeira, Rio de Janeiro, Cape of Good Hope, India, Singapore, Java, Manila, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Auckland, Tahiti, and Valparaiso. The expedition ended on August 26, 1859, back in Trieste. The exhibition also reflects on how historical data collection informs contemporary knowledge, using updated tools and innovative technologies.